Best Garden Plants to Attract Insects

Whether you are trying to attract a few insects into your garden or you want to create a beautiful oasis, you will need to consider the best garden plants for insects. Luckily, there are a lot of great options to choose from, and it’s not hard to find one that works for your garden.

Asclepias

Having the right garden plants to attract insects is very important. Many types of plants are suitable for butterflies, but there are some specific types that are particularly popular. These include common milkweed, showy milkweed and butterfly weed.

These plants are commonly used as nectar plants, but they also provide food for caterpillars and a host plant for monarch butterflies. They are also native to many parts of the United States, and are tolerant to drought once they are established.

Bluebells

Besides being beautiful, Bluebells also attract a wide range of insects. Bees, hummingbirds, and bumble bees all come to these flowering plants for pollen and nectar. They are also a great source of shade.

To grow these flowers, you can either plant seeds or bulbs. Both are effective and require the right combination of light, moisture, and soil.

The best time to plant bluebells is in the fall. The bulbs should be placed in the ground several inches deep and covered with soil. Once established, they will need only occasional watering.

Dill

Besides its flavorful leaves, dill is also one of the best garden plants to attract insects. Dill has a pleasant scent that attracts beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, and discourages unwanted pests. These beneficial insects keep your plants healthy without the use of harsh chemicals.

Dill can grow well in containers and in the ground. It requires well-draining soil. It will not thrive if it’s overwatered. For best results, make sure your dill has full sun for at least six hours a day.

Lavender

Choosing the right garden plants to attract insects is a good way to keep bugs at bay. You can choose from a wide range of plants that will attract a variety of insects. Some of these plants include mint, sage, rosemary, basil and echinacea.

Lavender is an excellent choice to attract butterflies and bees. It can also provide a rich source of nectar in the summer. It can also ward off aphids, a pest that can ruin your mint plant.

Tansy

Besides being a good garden plant, tansy can also be used as a natural insecticide. It is known to repel many non-nectar eating insects such as mosquitoes, flies, ticks and ants. In addition, tansy also has many traditional medicinal uses. It can treat digestive disorders, irregular menstruation, parasitic worm infestations, hepatitis and gallbladder inflammation.

In addition to repelling pests, tansy also attracts pollinators such as bees and ladybugs. However, some insects dislike the plant. Depending on your location, you may want to consider planting other plants nearby.

Wisteria

Depending on the variety, Wisteria can be a beautiful vine that attracts many insects to your garden. Some of these insect species are beneficial to the plant, while others may be damaging. But you can help protect your wisteria from these pests.

If you notice a few small holes in your wisteria leaves, you might have aphids. These insects are very common and can cause a lot of damage. Fortunately, there are natural predators for them. These include ladybugs and lacewings. But if you notice a large number of aphids, you will need to take measures to control them.

Iris

Having a variety of garden plants can attract various insects. One of the best garden plants to attract insects is Iris. This perennial flower grows from a bulb. With proper care and maintenance, your iris will be in bloom for years. Irises are available in over 60,000 varieties.

The best time to plant Irises is late summer or early fall. When planting, the rhizome should be a few inches below the surface of the soil. This will allow the root system to grow and store water once the plant is established. If you have clay soil, you will want to plant the rhizome higher in the ground. This will prevent the plant from rotting below the surface of the soil.

Hollyhocks

Adding hollyhocks to your garden is an excellent way to attract hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators. These plants add height and beauty to your perennials, and their colorful blooms create a unique and striking display. They are also drought tolerant once they have been established.

If you want to plant hollyhocks outdoors, you will need to select a sunny location. Choose an area with well-drained soil and a pH of six to eight. You should place the hollyhocks with at least 12 to 18 inches between each flower.